Five Ways You Could Damage Your Home Without Realising It
Britain is still feeling the effects of a cost-of-living crisis, so the last thing the anyone wants is to damage their home unknowingly. This can leave them with expensive repairs, which, to some, is money they simply don’t have.
You might be shocked at how easy it is to damage your home without your knowledge. Many of us have unknowingly done these things before. Stop now and save not only money but also the hassle of calling professionals to fix any potential problems.
So, Property Expert Joshua Houston has revealed five tips below.
1: Blue Tac - £15 to £50 repair bill
It’s common for people to use Blue Tac when hanging posters on their walls because it is easy to do and quick to reverse. However, many don’t realise that Blue Tac can damage your walls. It can pull paint off, leave oily stains and rip wallpaper, which will leave you needing to do repairs. These repairs won’t be free; they will range between £15 to £50 depending on the extent of the damage. Alternatively to Blue Tac, you can use mounting tape, which will reduce the risk of damage to your property’s walls.
2: Leaving windows open during rain - £300 to £5,000 repair bill
Leaving windows open during rain can cause moisture to build up, damaging your walls and furniture. It increases the humidity levels, which ultimately can lead to mould growth. This is dangerous to your physical health as breathing in these particles can cause breathing problems. Dampness and mould in isolated areas can cost around £300 to put right. But more extensive problems lead to damp proofing costs of up to £5,000. Preventing this is easy; never leave your windows open whilst it’s raining, even if it is just light rain.
3: Not ventilating bathrooms properly - £300 to £5,000 repair bill
Similar to leaving your windows open in the rain, not properly ventilating your bathrooms will lead to the rise of dampness and the build-up of mould. This is because the steam from your shower or bath has to go somewhere. Depending on the extent of the mould and dampness, putting it right can cost anywhere between £300 and £5,000. To avoid this, ensure that your bathroom extractor is in complete working order. Alternatively, when it’s dry outside, open the closest windows to allow moisture to escape.
4: Keeping plants too close to windows - £50 to £400 repair bill
Having plants inside your home is nice; they provide a fresh smell and feel. However, they do like to leak, which damages your windowsills. It causes warping and staining, requiring you to put your hand in your pocket to put it right. The price of repairs depends on the damage; minor damage can cost around £50, but more serious damage can cost you up to £400. To avoid this in the future, ensure that all your plants have a dripping pan underneath them to collect the water.
5: Overloading electrical circuits - £10 up to the value of your property
Plug extensions are popular because you can add more sockets to your home. But it’s important to remember the potential dangers of overloading electrical circuits. It can overheat the wiring to your appliances, which could stop them from working. Even more concerning, they are prone to fires, which is a risk to the life of anyone living in your household. The damage this can cause is massive. It could be as small as the death of your toaster, but in the worst case, it could mean losing your entire property. To avoid this, don’t overload individual sockets and pull the plug out of appliances that you are not using.
Joshua Houston, Property Expert at WhatCost:
‘’No one wants their home damaged; it not only leaves an ugly view, but also can cost a lot in repairs.
The advice given won’t just help your wallet but will also benefit your physical health. It reduces the risk of a fire, as well as making the air inside your home cleaner.’’